The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-09-01
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
REEs IN SEPTEMBER.

BEES IN SEPTEMBER.
Successful wintering of bees depends to
great extent on their management this month.
Late, unsealed honey is poor food for Winter,
and should never be used for feeding purposes.
If extracting be continued late, there is more
or less danger. unless full-sealed combs have
been set aside for this purpose; otherwise the
late unsealed honey may be extracted. and good
sugar strip be substituted. There are many
localities where Fall flowers abound. and where
the principal surplus of the year is gathered
this month. In harvesting Fall honey. the ex-
tractor is invaluable. for the bees will not store
the honey in boxes when combs must be built.
nearly so fast rs in the brood chamber, where
instinct teaches them it must be filed for Win
ter. This is also good month TO introduce
new blood into the apiary. Keep no queenless
stocks after this month, unless it is intended to
introduce queens, in which case. one or two
combs of Matching brood, from stocks that can
best spare them, should be inserted, in order to
secure young bees for Winter. lie there are
surplus boxes on, il is quite necessary to keep
the cap of the hive warm at night by artificial
means, rs the bees are very apt to leave boxes
when the nights are cool, and thus retard their
work TO such an extent that we have many
unfinished boxes, where, with the necessary
warmth. they would have been completed.
Where the honey harvest ceased last month,
the bees may now be divided. giving them
young queens. The honey flow of this month
will enable them to get in good condition by
the time they 90 into Winter quarters Where
any stocks have old queens. these should be
destroyed and Young queens introduced. With
little care the supply Of queens can be kept on
hand. At this time of the year, should feeding
be necessary for this purpose, feed as fast rs
possible, unless il is desired to stimulate brood
rearing. when the entrance feeder may be used
with good effect. Keep the queens laying as
long as possible, to have a popuous stock
american Agricnltiria.
FARM HINTS FOR SEPTEMBER.
The general testimony is in favor of early
sowing of wheat. IL is of the first importance
tn prepare a good seed-bed, using the harrow
and roller until the soil is thoroughly puver-
lied. No good farmer will sow wheat broad
cast. he cannot afford to own a drill he can
hire one. and the saving in seed will pay for
the rent of the machine. One great benefit
from the use of the drill is that il puts the
seed at uniform depth below the surface. Do
not change the kind Of wheat without good
reason. IL variety is highly praised. and APP
pears TO be better than that now grown, try a
small quantity. giving IL the same soil and care
n the general crop. sowing enough to give seed
for next year. should il turn out well. There
is, in most localities, frost about the latter
of this month. This catches the buck wheat
when the flower clusters are still in bloom,
while at the lower part of the cluster there is
ripened grain. If the crop is cut when frost
appears TO be imminent. aud placed in good
sized Gavels. the partly-matured grain will go
on and ripen. The root crops will grow rapidly
these cool nights. and may still be thinned to
advantage, of course keeping them clear Of
late weeds In localities where there are early
frosts. cutting up corn will be the most impor
tant work Of the month. Every farmer has
his own view Of the number of hills that
should 20 10 the stock. A short handled hoe
with the blade ground sharp and kept so by
the use Of file while at work. will he found
TO be the most convenient implement. Cut
low, to leave As little stumble as possible. Fod-
der corn should be cut upon the first intma-
ton of frost If cut and laid in the rows. it
will not he injured by the frost as much rs if
standing.-Americdn Agrieulturia.
., HOW To SAVE GARDEN SEEDS.
Peas and beans shonld be left on the vines
until the pods arc well wrinkled. when they
should be picked and spread until they are
quite dry. Small quantities may be shelled by
hand; large crops are threshed with a fail.
Keep them In a dry place.
should be taken only from ripe, perfect-shaped
specimens. In a small way the seeds may be
simply taken out. spread on plates or tins. and
dried. Large quantities have to be washed be-
fore drying, to remove the slime that adheres
TO them. When the seeds are thoroughly
dried. tie them in bags, and keep in dry place
secure from mice and rats.
Beets, parsnips, turnips, carrots, onions, cauli-
flower and cabbage will not produce seed until
ia gReou6 Snf in
well-matured plants of last seasons crop.
When the seed is ripe, cut the stalks aud put
under cover TO dry; then beat out the seeds,
and tie in paper bags.
Seeds of all kinds should be fully ripe when
gathered. but IL is also important to harvest
them as soon rs they are ripe. For keeping
small quantities of seeds, paper bags are pref
cradle TO cloth. as they afford better protection
against moisture and insects. Always mark
each package with the name of the seed con-
tanned in il, and the year in which il grew.
Cold does not injure the vitality Of seeds, but
moisture is detrimental TO all kinds.
CARE OF VEGETABLES IN AUTUMN.
Though work does not press now as it does
in the Spring months, and the gardener can
take a vacation, yet there are several important
things that must net be overlooked. Sow
spinach and German greens or sprouts to Win
ter in the open ground; also onion sets and
shaliOts. Sow early cabDsgeS, caulin0werS and
lettuce, TO raise plants to be wintered in cold
frames. The plants must be neither too large
nor too small. hence the date of sowing is i'm
| portant. Near New York many sow on the
| 18th; others find it safer TO make two sowings,
one on the 1lth aud the other on the 10th of
| this month. How the weeds will grow! Hoe
between the rows of root crops until the leaves
prevent. Hoe cabOages and cauliilowers often.
| Help any backward ones with manure water,
or slight dressing of guanO. Keep celery
| clear Of weeds aud hoe 10 promote growth
which should be rapid these warm days and
| cool nights.
NOTES
| - 1t is better 10 keep the Spring calves until
| Fall if the pasture be large and plentiful, as
| the cost will be but little, while better prices
can then be obtained if they be first put in good
| condition.
"A strong argument against dehorning il
that cattle deprived of their natural weapons
of Defense would be at the mercy of dogs even
as sheep are at present. IL is easy to answer
Destroy the dogs"
l. Small fruits come in bearing in a year O,
two after the vines have been planted, while
peach trees often bear when three years old
Every family having small plot of ground
should be able TO have them every season.
To avoid the forgetting Of the practice o!
sailing stock when t is given at stated periods
il is suggested that lump Of rock salt be
placed in the manger, so to have it within
easy reach of the animal whenever it may de-
| sire salt. ta
-Copperas is a splendid medicine to keer
on hand for poultry. When they have the
ronp wash their heads with solution Of it, and